NJ teen to be sentenced in girl’s slaying

WOODBURY, N.J. (AP) — A southern New Jersey teenager is facing a 17-year prison sentence for killing a young girl who disappeared while riding her bike last year.

Justin Robinson’s sentencing is scheduled for Thursday.

The 16-year-old pleaded guilty in adult court last month to aggravated manslaughter, saying he alone strangled 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale last October. She was killed not long after she left her home in Clayton for a bike ride.

Robinson and his brother, Dante, were each charged with murder.

Authorities say that besides Justin Robinson’s admission, they didn’t have physical evidence that established whether one or both of the brothers strangled the girl. Murder charges remain against Dante Robinson.

Pasquale’s disappearance set off a massive two-day search in Clayton, where all three youths lived.